The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Regional Tourism Estimate lists Hamilton and Waikato as the fifth largest region in New Zealand in terms of visitor expenditure (behind Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown). An estimated $1.456 billion was spent in the region for the year ending October 2017, an increase of six per cent on the previous year.

Commercial guest nights for the Waikato region are also rising. The latest Commercial Accommodation Monitor figures released by MBIE show three percent year-on-year growth for the year ended November 2017, a total of 1.42 million guest nights.

“With a number of new businesses in the area and record numbers attending events such as Equidays and Fieldays at nearby Mystery Creek Events Centre, demand for accommodation near the airport has grown,” Mr Spencer said.

As well as purchasing the hotel and conference centre, the airport company has recently established five new fully-equipped meeting spaces within the Hamilton Airport terminal building.

WRAL chief executive Mark Morgan said the airport receives a steady stream of inquires for conference facilities and meeting rooms.

“Our new facilities have already proven popular to businesses who regularly utilise the airport,” he said. “They will complement the existing facilities already at the Airport Hotel and Conference Centre.”

WRAL is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton City, Otorohanga, Waipa, Waikato and Matamata-Piako District Councils and is the umbrella for subsidiary companies; Hamilton Airport, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and Titanium Park Limited.